Chuck



Feb.6, 1945'. M; J, MocoMBs l 2,368,858

CHUCK Filed sept. 11, 1942 ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 6, 1945 Melyorne'J;McComb's-, Dayton, Ohioz assignorto Buckeye Tools Corporation, .acorporation of Ohio Application s'clttmiscfr 11, 11542,- sc'rialiNc;458,013" lactating.` (01; citi-64') This invention rentes tc c; devicefor r'cicasabiy connecting two' nienners and is designed pri'-xnar'il'y' for use as a chuck t'o connect with a'd'rivin'g or supportingmeinloei` a part to loe operated or to be operated'upon, such for`example as adrill or a work pie'c'ein alathe, but it is not limited tosuch use; 1

One Object of' the 'invention' is'to' pro'videa corine'ctng devicecfsimple'constr'ucto'n' and'cf r'el-` atively'light' weight' which can beeasily operated' to rigidly' connect therewith or to disconnecttherefro'n'f apart-to' lie-supported or driver'il- A' fii'r'th'er objectof the invention is to provide such a device in which the gripping andreleasing a'c'tion of the gripping m'enibers will bef rapid, pr'or'np'tand positive vvithout sacricing efiiciency.

A further'obiject' ofthe invention is to provide such a device inv Whichthe load on, or the resistance to .the rotation of, the driven partWilixte'nd" to increase the gripping' action of the gripping mernlcers.v

A further object of the invention is to. provide a chuck' which can b'emade cfsmall size with relation to the device to he supported therebyand willhave ample strength and durability A further object of theinvention is to provide a chuck which will be free from projections or.

angles Whchvvould loe liable'- to. mar the Worl'g; if the chuck came incontact therewithandvvhicn is well adapted for operation in closequarters.

A further object'of the invention is to provide a, l chuck in which thejaws Willnot project beyond positions;

Afurther object of the invention is to provide such" a, chuck in whichthe jaws will be self-adthe face of the chuck vvhenltheyare in-grppin-gjustin'g.' to accurately alinethe supported vdevice.

with the-'axis of the chuck;

A further object ofthe invention is to provide a chuck in which the'jawsw'ill be rotatable about' individual .axes asthey :nove to grippingpositions.' Y

A further object of theinventionis to' provide a. chuck in Which'thejaws vWill have rollingl contact with the' actuating'dvice therefor and'the device tcbe 'su'phortcdg A` further' ob'ject O'f vthe invention istoprovide a chuck Withcne-lsha'ped' jaws; thev device en'- gagingportions'o'f which are parallel with" the axis of the chuck.'

Other objects of the invention mayv appear as the device is described-in detail.' y

In the accom'pa'nying"dravvingV Figt 1 isa sidel niy ch''ck Figl 2 is asection' taken centrally v c eive althreadedAstudfcarried' bei;ottici-taisent parted", Stich' astre think' of c rcttttcticittcniment,as shown at Il in Fig. '7. The jaws are in part at least circular incross section and are so arranged that their adjacent or shank engagingportions will be parallel with the shank of the implement. Preferablyeach jaw is conical in form and the base thereof is supported on thebody l2 for substantially radial movement toward and from the axis ofthe chuck and for rotary movement about its individual axis. -Theinclination of the supporting surface l5 with relation to the lo taperof the jaws is such that the adjacent-or shank engaging portions of theconical jaws will be supported in Substantial parallelism one with theother and with the axis of the chuck. The

jaws may be guided in the desired paths of movement in any suitablemanner and, in the construction shown, the supporting surface I5 isprovided with a plurality of slots i8 each of which opens into asubstantially radial bore I9 in the body and parallel to thecorresponding slot, and

the conical jaws are provided with stems 20 which extend through theslots i8 and have enlargements or heads 2l in the bores i9. Springs 22conned in the respective bores I9 between the inner ends thereof and theheads 2i ofthe jaw 25 stems act on the jaws to move the same outwardlyfrom each other when such movement of the jaws is unrestrained. In orderthat the bores I9 may be of maximum length without permitting the endsof the springs to contact and become enmoved. Preferably there isprovided for this purpose an actuating member 25 inthe form of a' caphaving a cylindrical portion screw threaded onto the body l2 and havingan inwardly extending flange 26 which is provided with an opening 21into ,which the jaws I6 extend. The Nflange 26 4 :5

is provided on its inner side with an annular member or projection 28which extends about the jaws and engages the conical surfacesI thereof,this engagingmember preferably having an inclined surface 29 the-fullwidth of which will have 50 Contact with the conical jaws. It will beobvious therefore that the rotation of the actuating mem'- ber orl cap25 in a direction to move the ange 26 thereof toward the body l2 willsimultaneously rotate the jaws and press the same one toward the otherand into gripping engagement with the shank of the implement. Thearrangement is such lthat the shank engaging portions will be at alltimes substar'itiallyl parallel one with the other` but in orderthat'they may automatically adjust 60 themselves into true parallelismone with the other and with the axis of the chuck they are so mountedthat each jaw may have a, slight tilting movement transverse to itsindividual axis of rotation. For this purpose the supporting surface I5-is cut away on both sides of each slot to provide n at surfaces 30 withwhich the bases of the respective cones contact, and the base of eachcone is slightly tapered outwardly from its stem 20 to impart to thesame a radially inclined surface 3l 70 which will permit the cone toadjustitself with relation to the body and to the shank of theimplement, thereby insuring the proper alinement of the implement withthe axis of the chuck. The

actuating device or cap 25 may be adjusted in any 75 suitable manner, asby grasping the same in the hand, but it is preferably provided withmeans whereby a suitable tool may be applied thereto for tightening thesame and, as here shown, the outer face of the cap is provided withsockets `33 to receive the studs of a Spanner wrench.

When the actuating member or cap is moved forwardly, that is away fromthe body I2, the jaws will bemoved outwardly one from the other bysprings 22, thus permitting the shank of the implement, or other drivendevice, to be inserted between them. The cap is thenrotated on the bodyto move the jaws inwardly, to rotate the same about their individualaxes and to move them into gripping engagement with the shank of theimplement. Thus the jaws have rolling contact both with the shank andwith the actuating device which tends to tighten the jaws in firmengagement with the shank and cause the gripping action of the jaws tobe increased by the resistance of the work to the rotation of theimplement. The rolling contact also enables ther jaws to be tightened orloosened by a relatively small movement of the actuating device. Theself-adjustment of the jaws,-due to their tilting movement, insures theaxial alinement of the implement with the chuck. Further, the rollingfriction between the jaws and the actuating device minimizes wear on thepartsand increases the durability ofthe chuck. It will be apparent thatthe chuck functions as a clutch and that it may be used, with or withoutmodification, to clutch a driving member to a driven member.

It will be noted that while the jaws project 5 into the opening 21 inthe cap they do not, in any position thereof, project beyond the outerface of thev cap. Consequently they cannot mar the Work in the event thedrill or other implement pierces the work and the pressure on the toolmoves the chuck into engagement with the work. Further, the front faceof the chuck is of a flat smooth construction and the cap is free fromprojections or angles which might injure the work if they contactedtherewith. These characteristics of the chuck, together with the factthat it may be made of a size which is quite ysmall with relation to theimplement which is supported thereby, peculiarly adapt the chuck for usein close quarters, such as the limited space in which drills and othertools must be manipulated in airplane construction vand the like. Whilethe chuck may be made in small sizes, without 'impairing its strength ordurability, it may also be made in large sizes without material changein the construction thereof.

While I have shown and described one embodiment of my inventionI wish itto be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the detailsthereof as various modifications may occur to a person skilled in theart. j

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent is: v

1. In a chuck, a rotatable body having means Wherebyrit may be connectedwith the supporting member and having in the forward portion thereof arearwardly tapered axial recess, a plurality of cone shaped jawsslidably mounted on the'wall of said recess for movementtoward andfromthe axis of said bodyr with their conical surfaces free from contactwith said body, said jaws beingro-V tatable about individual axes andarranged to receive between them a part to be supported, and actuatingmeans for said jaws comprising a memi ber connected with said body forrotation and assassina jaws toV simultaneously impartthereto slidingmovement and rotary movement to causex said jaws toi tightly gripsaid:part `to be.l supportedir 2. In a chuck of the characterdescribed;abodyhaving means whereby itzmay beconnecte'd .with a supporting member andhaving in the-forward portion thereof a rearwardlytapered' axial recessand also having` a substantially radiali guideway in the wall of saidrecess, a plurality-of" conical jaws slidably supported on. the walli of'said recess for movement` toward andv from thel axis osad body and forrotationabout-individ'ualil axes and adapted toireceive between. them a`part of'a device to be supported", each jaw being hel'd against axial.movement .with its base in-` contact Y withisaid wall and. having a partprojecting from'saidf'base into the corresponding guideway, jthe taperof said jaws being so related to the angle of said wall that thoseportions of the'l conical surfaces of said jaw which engage saiddeviceare substantially parallel with the axis of' said body; and means.carried by said= body andl acting: on said jaws to simultaneously imparttheretowboth sliding movement and rotary movement to-cause said jawstoltightlyV grip said device.

3. In a chuck of the character described, a body having means whereby itmayfbe connected with a supporting memberand having-in theI forwardportion thereof a rearwardly tapereda axialfrei cessi and alsovhaving aplurality of= substantially radial guideways in thewalliof'saidrecess,apl'u'- rality of conical jaws slidably supported on the wall of saidrecess forv movement toward and from the axis of saidbodyand forIrotation about individual axes and adapted to'receive'- between them apart of a 'device to be supported, eaclr jaw being held againstaxial-movement with4 its base in contact with said wallandl having apart projecting from saidbase into the corresponding guideway, the baseof each jaw4 being inclined from the axis of said jawtowardtheLcircum'.-`

ference thereof to permit saidijawto havea lim-1 itedtilting movement onsaid' wall, and'meanscarried by said body and acting on' said 'jawstosimultaneouslyimpart theretoiboth islidinglmovement and rotary movement'to cause the jaws to tightly grip said device.

4. In a chuck, a body having means whereby it may be oonnectedwith asupporting member and having in the forward portion thereof a rearwardlytapered axial recess, an actuating device mounted on said body for bothrotary and axial movement with relation thereto and having an axialopening in the forward portion thereof, and a plurality of conical jawssupported at their bases on the Wall of said recess for movement towardand from the axis of said body and for rotation about their individualaxes and held against rotation about the axis of said actuatingr device,said actuating device having a rearwardly and outwardly inclined annularsurface spaced rearwardly from the forward end of said opening to engagesaid jaws, move the same one toward the other and to rotate each jawabout its individual axis.

5. In a chuck, a body having means whereby it may be connected with asupporting member and having in the forward portion thereof a rearwardlytapered axial recess, an actuating device mounted on said body for bothrotary and axial movement with relation thereto and having a transverseportion in front of said recess and provided with an axial opening, anda plurality of conical jaws support-.east .their bases. on the wall? of'saldi recessA 'for movement toward antir from the axis of sai'dlbodyandfor'rotatlom about their individual axesfandf held against rotationabout the` axis'` of said actuating device and extending into saidvopeningv in said actuating device, said actuating device havingadjacentz.;the rear. endof said axial opening a rearwardly and outwardlyinclined annular surface to engage said jaws, move the same one towardthe other and rotateeach' jaw about its individual axis;

6. In a chuck having; means whereby it-may be` connected withasupporting member and having a cylindrical portion provided with: ex.-ternal screw.' threads, 'said body having! insthe forward end. thereof arearwardly taperediaxiail 'recess-,- an. actuatingI devicef havinglscrew thread.-

ed. connection. 'withsaid body` and having: arela'- tively-l thicktransverse flange'Y in .front of said recess, and a plurality of conicaljawsk supported attheir vbases on the wallof; said recess for move'-rnent toward and from the a-xiss of saidbody and` for rotation abouttheir individual axes and heldl againstrotation: about the axisofsaidbodysaid' transverse. ange of said actuating device hav'- ingatitsrear'side` a rearwardly facingV annular surface substantiallyparallel with the: adjacent conicalssurfaces of said jaws andextending:` about saidjawsito engage and actuatethe'fsame.

l'7; In a chuck; a body havingmeans whereby it' may' be'. connected Witha supporting* member and' having a cylindrical. portion provided with`externalscrew.I threads, saidbody having in the forward portion thereofa rearwardly taperedaxial recess, a` cylindrical actuating device havinga1.reari portion screw threaded onto said body and having a forward4portion inv front of said recess I and provided with an axialv opening,said' forward portion of' said'. actuating device' hav'- in'gadjacentthe rear end of'said. opening rearwardly extendingpart adapted to entertherecessi inisaid body and providedwith atforward'ly and; inwardlyinclined annular surface concen-A tric withxtheaxisof said actuatingdevice, anda plurality of. conical jaws supported at theirl bases: inthe-wall of said recess for movement toward. and.: from; the axis ofsaid body and for rotation, about" their individual axes and: heldagainst rotation about the axis of said actuating device, said jawsextending through said rearwardly extending part of said actuatingdevice in operative relation to said annular inclined surface thereofwith their forward ends -in'said opening.

8. In a chuck of the character described, a body having means whereby itmay be connected with a supporting member and having in the forwardportion thereof a rearwardly tapered axial recess, a plurality ofconical jaws slidably mounted von the wall of said recess for movementtoward and from each other and for rotation about individual axes andadapted to receive between them a part of a device to be supported, amember rotatable on vand having screw threaded connection with saidbody, said member having an annular part extending about and engagingthe conical surfaces of said jaws to rotate the latter and move the sameinto gripping engagement with said device when said member is rotated inone direction, said jaws having limitedtilting movement with relation tosaid body to permit each jaw to adjust itself with relation to the otherjaw.

9. In a chuck ofthe character described, a body having means whereby itmay be connected with a supporting member and having in the forwardportion thereof a rearwardly tapered recess, said body also having aplurality of substantially radial slots in the wall of said recess, aplurality of conical jaws slidably mounted on said wall of said recessand having stems extending into the respective slots, spring meansacting on said jaw stems to move said jaws outwardly, and an actuatingmember screw threaded on said body for adjustment axially thereof andhaving an annular part extending about and engaging said jaws to rotatethe latter and move them toward each other when said actuating member isrotated in one direction.-

10. In a chuck, a body having means whereby it may be connected with asupporting member and a cylindrical portion provided in its for W-ardend with a rearwardly tapered recess having its apex at the axis of saidbody and having its major diameter approximating the diameter of saidbody, Said body having in the wall of said recess a plurality ofsubstantially radial slots, said wall having flat surfaces on both sidesof eachslot, a plurality of conical jaws slidably mounted on the wall ofsaid recess and having stems extending into the respective slots, thebase of each jaw being slightly inclined to provide tiltable engagementwith said flat surfaces, and an actuating device, screw threaded ontosaid body and having a transverse portion in front of said recessprovided with yan axial opening, and an inwardly and outwardly inclinedannular surface extending about said jaws to actuate the same. l

l1. In a chuck, a body having means whereby itA may be connected with asupporting member and a cylindrical portion provided in its forward endwith a rearwardly tapered recess having itsV apex at the axis of saidbody and having its major diameter approximating the diameter of saidbody, said body having in the wall of said recess a plurality ofsubstantially radial slots, each slot having an enlarged rear portion,aplurality of conical jaws slidably mounted on the wall of said recess,each jaw having a stem extending through one of said slots and a head inthe enlarged portion of said slot to hold said jaw against longitudinalmovement with relation` to said wall, and an actuating device screwthreaded onto said body, having a part in front of said recess andprovided with an axial opening and also having a rearwardly andoutwardly inclined annular surface extending about said jaws to actuatethe same.

12. In a chuck of the character described, a body having means wherebyit may be c-onnected with a supporting member and having in the for;-ward portion thereof a rearwardly tapered recess, said body also havinga plurality of substantially radial slots in the wall of said recess, aplurality of conical jaws slidably mounted on said wall of said recessand having stems extending into` the respective slots, spring meansacting on said jaw stems to move said jaws outwardly, yand an actuatingmember screw threaded on said body for adjustment axially thereofand'having an annular part extending about and engaging said jaws torotate the latter and move them toward each other when said actuatingmember is rotated in one direction, the'curved wall of said recesshaving substantially iiat surfaces on both sides of each slot and thebase of each conical jaw being slightly inclined from the stem towardthe circumference thereof to provide an inclined area in contactwiththev flat surfaces of said wall.

13. In a chuck of the character described, a body having means wherebyit may be connected with a supporting member and having in the forwardportion thereof a rearwardlytapered recess, said body having an axialbore, -a plurality of substantially radial bores extending from theperiphery thereof to said axial bore, and slots' connecting therespective radial bores with said recess, a plug in said axial boreclosing the inner ends of said bores, a plurality of conical jawsslidably and rotatably supported on the wall of said recess, each havinga stem extending through the corresponding slot and having an enlargedportion slidable in the corresponding radial bore,

springs in said bores acting on the stems of said jaws to move thelatter outwardly and a rotatable actuating member having screw threadedl

